D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I checked out the net for any one building a Don Smith B-29 and did not find one. So I though I would start a build thread. I started aquiring parts about 6 years ago. Ordered plans from Don Smith. Then about 6 month later my friend Jeff told me about a friend of his was getting rid of a partly framed up B-29. I went and checked it out and the build was the worst I have ever seen. If I wanted any part of it I had to take all the man had witch included the cowls, glass, hashed up set of plans and the partly built B-29 for FREE. So I loaded it up in my truck and brought it home. I cut up the plane with a saw zall and it went out with the trash on Friday. The good thing was I got the cowls and glass for FREE. About 2 years later I purchest the Laser cut short kit from Lasar lizards and the landing gear from Robart. I then found the Glenis wheels and breaks on RC Universe. About 1 year later I bought 4 YS 160 engines for the B-29. After running one in a Top Flite Stagger Wing biplane I felt the YS engines would be to much of a head ache to deal with so I sold them on Ebay. Now we are up to the year 2009 month of December I found the DLE-20 engine and ordered one from Tower Hobbies and it fit perfect in the cowl spark plug and all. I then ordered 3 more. Early in January I ordered the rest of the wood sheeting and sticks required to start building. [8D]
This is the 169" wing span enlarged Don Smith B-29

D_wilbur

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Here are some pictures of the parts I have

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

This should be interesting, I'll be watching. I know how those free projects go, on some I'vecome across over the years Iam able to disassemble them enough to salvage some parts.

Ichy

Have fun!  FYI, there is/was a guy that started a build of this plane on RCScaleBuilder.com.  He got quite far along, but don't think he ever finished it.  I'll be watching your's.

LargeScale88

I'm excited to see this build! I've built Dons B-17, currently working on the P-51, and I've also built the A-26, which i sold.

His designs are great.

Keep us updated!

Jason

D_wilbur

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I tried to post the progress on the B-29 last night but having trouble with an up date to my computer from Adobe Flash player 10.2. Tried to reinstall an older version and that did not work. My friend is stopping By Saturday to fix it so I will be buying dinner. Popped out the fuse former and matched them to the drawings. 4 formers were marked #19 two of the should have been marked 17 so I remarked them. The wing crutch was 1/2" longer than the plans after the trailing edge of the wing so I remarked the fuse former locations and will have to notch then open to fit. I pinned down the top and bottom spines 1/4"X1/2" basswood at the front I used strips of 1/8"X1/4" balsa to form the sharp curves of the fuse the basswood would not bend to shape. Install most of the formers. I will add pictures after I get the computer fixed.

BadLemon

My Feedback: (37)

D Wilbur

try one more time I too had problems posting and uploading picture last night but this morning I was able to. Good luck with the build this is going to be exciting to watch!

F3HDemonDriver

Yes Indeed this will be one post I'm gonna keep an eye on!

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

It's great to see some are interested in this build. Last night I started by checking out the parts for the fuse. I found 2 formers labeled incorrectly. I have 4 formers marked #19. By checking the plans I identified that 2 of them are #17. The fuse is built left half first then I flip it over and build the right half on the left. The rudder and stab are built in similar way. When I glued the wing crutch halves together they are 1/2" longer than the plan shows. I have pined down the main stringers out lining the top and bottom of the fuse. At the front the curve was too sharp to use 1/4"X1/2" Beech wood so I laminated 1/8" balsa to form the sharp curve of the fuse. I started installing the formers realized it was 10:00 pm and time to get some sleep. I hope to continue Saturday after work.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

At 6:25 am I can up load some progress. Here are some more pictures. I finished installing the formers for the left side of the fuse and started installing the 1/8" sheeting. The first to strips of sheeting were 3/4" wide the rest will be about 5/16" wide.

D_wilbur

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Did some more work on the sheeting tonight.

Edwin

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Subscribed. You said the one thing I was looking for. What engine fit in the cowl. When you said the DLE20 fit, I was hooked. I stock up on my builds the same as you, takes years. I currently have 4 saito 120s, then the 20cc gassers came out, DOH!!! This is one I've been interested in for a long time. I've been watching BB Weber fly his at bomber field for years and fell in love with B-17s AND the lone B-29. Late last year was my first jump into 4 engine bombers with an ATI B-17 as a practice plane. Plans are to build the DS B-17 and B-29 (the 169") so this build is perfect timing.
Edwin

cobi.p

hello D Wilbur
great build , please check all the part befor glueing , D.S is famous for a lot of mistakes .

i'd like to show you a way of building the Fuselage , i did it on my D.S B-24 build .
i use'd a foam former's on a srait wood base , coverd all with nylon and glue the foam to the nylon with silicone glue and then flip all over and build the 2nd side .

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Looking forward to following your build. I assume you’ve seen the kee bird video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpR2S...98499FA0D9474D A very sad story.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

What a sad ending to Kee Bird. All that work to have a fire destroy it. Not able to do any work on the B-29 today I woke up with pain in my back. I have set up some jigs similar to your foam ones out of 1/4" plywood. I used the formers for the templates. I hope they work I cut an extra 1/8" to compensate for the sheeting. I hope to have it ready to flip over by next weekend.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I got home early from work and installed some more sheeting. I had a feeling the sheeting would be a lot of work. I spent about 5 hours last night and still have not finished the left side. The good thing is Monday is a holiday.

turboratt89

lookng good brother

at-6 texan

sed but true[].I was going to cry when I saw the B-29 ( the old the lady) in flame. that effort wasted![]

I-fly-any-and-all

My Feedback: (1)

good choice on the four DL 20cc gassers. Now she will rival Mac Hodges massive b-29 with four zdz 80cc gassers!

turboratt89

so whats the wing span on yours due to i see the one cutting company stopped the 141 ws kit
bummer thou thats the one i liked to build

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

wing span is 169in the fuse 120in long. Laser Lizards should have a short kit for the 141in wing B-29. here is the link http://www.laserlizard.com/.

D_wilbur

My Feedback: (8)

I did some more work on the fuse Friday night and finished the sheeting and flipped it over ready to install the right side formers. The gigs I made worked great to suport the fuse to install the rest of the formers. I made up zip lock bags of lead shot. I purchased a 25lbs bag of lead from a local hunting and fishing store.

kram

My Feedback: (7)

Here are some pictures I took yesterday of my friend Frank's build of the same size Don Smith. (WS 14')

Our friend Dwayne has already completed, maidened, crashed, re-built and re-flown his (the Bomber Force is STRONG here in Iowa)

He believes his maiden mishap was due to a design flaw (weakness) in the way the wing tips attach. I should probably get the specifics from him and get back to you on that.

Nacelles aren't done yet.

Power will be Saito 125's.

I look forward to following your thread! It's an absolutely GORGEOUS aircraft in flight!


mt

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

I get goose bumps seeing them in that stage.
Edwin

turboratt89

thanks bro ill check with them